AT SCHOOL DURING THE WAR
OUR LADYS MOUNT, STANTON HILL

visits since 5 January 2002

The main school building in the 1940's

The Americans setup an anti-aircraft battery in the school grounds on about 15 March 1942.  Other batteries were established at Pilot Hill near the harbour and at the South Townsville State School. These may have all belonged to the 208th Anti Aircraft Battalion, US Army.

After the Americans left the school, they left behind a building which was subsequently used as a science block. They also left behind some Army surplus materials which were later sold.

SCHOOL HISTORY
AND ALL THIS SHALL BE ADDED

Catholic Education in Queensland
Volume VI, Chapter 7

ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY
Page 53

Their confreres at Our Lady's Mount in Townsville had a strategic vantage point on the heights overlooking Cleveland Bay. There they had to contend with the installation, in March 1942, of a United States anti-aircraft battery in the school yard. While the schools were closed, the brothers trained as air-raid wardens ready for duty should the Japanese attack. Meanwhile discussions held about the feasibility of evacuating to Pentland, a small township west of Charters Towers, resulted in their staying in Townsville. There was uncertainty as to the numbers of boys who would be able to go and the costs involved. Our Lady's Mount was a day school.

Following the general evacuation of the north and the temporary closure of schools, the brothers re-opened on staggered hours with their enrolment greatly reduced from around 300 to about eighty, these being boys from grade six to senior. Not only did they have to endure disruptions caused by general air raid practice, but also the regular firing of the American gun in their own yard. Given prior warning of the event, brothers and boys took up their positions to hold down anything that could fall and break from the vibrations.

Anti-aircraft Batteries in the Townsville area during WW2

Heaps of WW2 books available at Amazon.com

This page first produced 25 April 1998

This page last updated 16 July 1998